
Qass. 
Book: 



v^^ 



.^Wo. 



/ 



-: SKETCHES :- 



OF THE TOWN OF 



CUMMI N GT O^.} 





WEST CUMMINGTON, MAKR.: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 






SKETCHES 

OP THE TOWN OF 

OUMMINGTOJSf 



-)o(- 



BY H. ELMER MILLER 

AUTHOB OF " HISTORY OF SAVOY," ETC. 




WEST CUM3'INGT0X, MASS.: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 



1S81. 



Yf>^ 



SErifSffiiis m %i^wmwmm'Si. 



/ lUM^^IINGTON is situated in the western part of 
^-^ HampHhire Co., Mass., 18 miles from Nt>rthamptou 
the eounty seat. The Westfield river passes through the 
entire length of the touTi from west to east, while from 
titlier side of its narrow valley rise to the height of sev 
«ral hundred feet a series of hills belonging to the Hoo- 
Hac r.inge of the Green Mountain System. In the north- 
western part of the town, its base washed by the river, 
rises " Deer Hill " its southern slope covered with oaJi 
trees of remarkably even growth, forming one of the most 
>»ymmetricvil clevatifjns of land in the state. 

The larger portion of the farming population reside 
on the higher lands while the several villages and man- 
ufacturing interests are within the narrow limits of the 
river valley. 

The town has no railroad connection, "WilHamsburg 
on the east and Hinsdale on the west being the nearest 
itations. It has, however, tolerable mail facilities being 
located about midwiy on the stage route connectiag the 
alwve named stations. 

In the extreme eastern part of the town lies the littlte 
ki^mlet blown as "Swift River " containing a Foet Q^o^ 



2 sSKETOHES OF CUMMINQTOK. 

and several wood- working mills. About two miles west 
is the pretty village of Cummington containing a Post 
Office, two churches, four stores, hotel, five or six shops 
or mills for the manufacture of gloves, saw and shovel 
handles, towel racks, etc., harness shop, twD blacksmith 
shops, tin and stove store, and watch repairing establish 
ment. Three miles west of Cummington village is a mill 
for carding wool and making satuiet cloth. Tliis place 
bears the sounding title of '• Jjightuing Bug At. a dis 
tance of two miles west lies th«^ west village (formerly 
called " Woodchuck Hollow''), with about forty dwelling 
houses, postoffioe, two churches, iiottil, thrrje titores, a 
t',arriage and cabinet shop, two paptr mills, two black 
amith shops, saw mill, turning shop, printing office, peu 
holder factory and a clock repairing establishment. 

EARLY HISTORY. 

The history of the town commenccH with the sale of 
*he township, at auction June 2. 1762. to John Cuming 
»f Worcester, for £1800. Associated with him in tliis 
purchase were twenty six others though few of the com 
j)any ever became residents of the township. Its area 
included the present town of Cummington with portions 
of the present towns of Plainfield and Windsor, and w^^ 
known as " No. 5," bemg one of the ten townships sold 
at that time. 

Col. Cuming was of Scotch descent and possesHed re 
iuarkable qualifications for those days, ha\'ing Vieeu ed 
ucated for the medical profession: he also distinguished 
iximself in military life and took an active part in rduea 
tional and rehgious enterprises. 

The conditions of the sale requiied the reservation of 
one sxty-third part for the first settled minister, one six 
t,y-third part for the ministry and the same amount for 



SKETCHES OF CUMMTNGTON. 8 

the support of a school forever, and that within live years 
there shouhi be sixty settlers within the township limits 
each having a dwellinf^ 24 x 18 feet and seven acres of 
land cleared and fenced and brought to English grass. 
Hinl plowed, and shall have settled a learned Protestant 
minister. 

The first settler was Samuel Brewe)-. uf Worcester, 
who eaine to town in 1762 or 17(53 and located on lanil 
now owned by P. P. Lyman, when- traces of the ancient 
habitation may still be seen. 

In 1705 Charles Prescijtt built a saw mill near where 
•Jacob Higgins now resides. Iiuins of tluK strneturo art 
also visible. 

For nine years the meetings of the proprietors were 
held in (loncurd. but as the townsliij) was f'lst being set 
Ifd: it bei-ame necessary to transact bnsiiu.ss of tin.-, iia 
ture within its limits and the tirst town uuetiiig wa> 
helil at the house of Stt^phen Warner ( on the Dea. Hoy 
ers place, ) June 19th 1771 (!apt. Daniel Reed was mo<l 
erator and Wm. Ward, clerk. At this and subsequent 
meetings the important subject tiuihng a suitable loca 
tion for the '' meeting h(msc' seems to hive been the 
principal topic for considcratu n. Several committee- 
were appointed whf> " jiitched upon "" as many sites for 
the edifice and the controversy was not settled for many 
years. 

June 23d 1779, the General Court pat-sed an actincoi 
porating the town of Ccmminoton witliin these bounds: 
•'beginning at the North-west comer of Worthington and 
running east Nineteen degrees, Soutli sixteen hundred 
and twenty-five poles, then North nineteen degrees, P2asi 
six miles to stake and stones, then runnmg West nine 
teen degrees North ( including part jf Hattild Equivalent 
to the Northeast corner of lot No. thirteen of the secouo 
Divisiiui ill said plantation, th'^n ninning South nineteen 



4 SKETCHES OF CUMMINftTOK. 

degrees to the bounds first mentioned.'" In 1780 the 
east line of the town was extended to the towns of Ash- 
field, Gosheu. and Chesterfield. Sept. 3d 1778 a part of 
the town was set oft" to Gageboro, ( now Windsor ), and 
in 1794 a portion was allotted to Plainfield 

Among the families residing here in 177t> were those 
of Samuel Brewer. Stephen Farr, -Jacob Melvin, Charles 
Prescott Thomas Barrett. Stephen Haywai'd. Tilly Mer 
rick and Obed Shaw. The dwellings of these pioneers 
were mostly built of logs Whenever a new family ar 
jived in the township; those already residing there would 
;issist in preparing the h.mse, oftcm <nitting the timber, 
framing and erecting the house in one day. The first 
.settlements were made on the hills in the south part of 
the town, as the low land on the river was not thought 
as suitable for cultivation, and also because the higher 
• and was near tlie old militarv road fr )m Noi-thaui])ton 
to Adams and Bennington At n later date a road was 
laid out in the nui'th pai-t of the town, passing by where 
tl. A. Streeter now lives, tlu-nce to the river at '• Liglit 
ning Bug. '" and passing through Windsor to the towns 
on the Hoosac river. Prior to the introductit)n of steam 
transportation by rail, this road was much used and sev 
eral times a day might be heard the sound of the horn 
i»lown by the driver of the six-horse coach as he cjme 
ill sight of each hamlet on his route. 

Having thus bi'iefiy sketched the most important inci- 
dents connected with the early history of the town, w*^ 
siliall now classify the several events connected with the 
<hurche8. schools, and industries, each in its appropri 
Hte dejjartment, which may be readily found by an exam 
luation of the index. 

X * t 



SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON, 

CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. 



THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

wus organized soon after the settlement of the town, and 
nutil the erection of suitable building, the meetings were 
held at private dwellings. The first church edifice was 
built about the year 1772, near the t'oui- corners on the 
farm of the late Wm. C. Bryant. This building was re 
moved to *' Meeting House Hill," and wa? for a number 
of years the only place of worship in tlie town. The min 
isters of tliis church were : Revs. John Hooker. Jossc 
Reed, Mr. P)rter, Mr. Rilliugs, Mr. Hotchkiss. and Rev. 
.Taints Briggs. 

Mr. Briggs was ordained in this place, July 7th 177H, 
and remained pastor of this chui-ch forty- six years, deiHv 
mg his sappjrt from the whole towni. each citizen being 
t;ixed aecording to liis means. During this entire perioi! 
Parson Briggs took an active part in all public affairs, 
opening town meetings officiating at funtsrals and we<l 
ilings, and performing the duties now devolving on tlu' 
school committee. In this connection we insert an anec 
dote related by the late Dr. Royal Joy who, wliilc young, 
<^ame before the Parsoa for examination as a teacher and 
vfus questioned as follows -.- 

' What is your name f 

' Royal Joy.' 

* Are your parents members of the chiirch ?' 

'Yes, sir.' 

'Very weU, here is your certificate.' 

Mr. Briggs was succeeded by Revs. Roswell Hawker, 
8. D. Darling, Jamef-, Chapman. Mr. Barker and Mr. 
Thompson. This society continued until 1868. 



O SKETCHES OP CUMMINGTON. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

was organized at Cummington village, July 1st 1839, bj 
members of thf- first church who disliked t^.) go so far to 
worsliip: the ehur.^h was built and dedicated the same 
year, a hoa,^^tiful knoll of sand being removed to allow its 
erection on the site purchased of Mr. Tirrell. 

The pulpit of this church has been supj)lied by thp, fol 
lowing clergymen :- Royal Reed, T. J. Clark, J. J. Dana- 
Messrs. Alvord, Hutchinson. Otman. Gary, O. S. Morris 
and H. B. Blake the present pastor. 



WE^T CUMMINGTON CO>,(mEGATIONAL CHURCH. 



This society was; 
organized and the 
church erected in 
1839 The chuj-ch 
( a cut of whicli is 
here given) stands 
on elevated land 
commanding a fine 
view of the princi 
pal street of the 
^dllage. In Nov 
ember. 1840, Rev. Joseph B. Baldwin became pastor of 
this church and remained with the society over sixteen 
years. Mr. Baldwin was snl)sequently called to a second 
pastorate making, in all, about tAventy years of labor in 
this field. He now resides in the place, having purchas- 
ed a residence on North St., in 1878. 

Other clergymen Avho have labored with this people 
are :- Rev. Josiah Pomeroy, for a little more than a year : 




SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 9 

Mr. Browu, one year ; Charles Scott, one year and one 
half : Robert Samncls, one year and a half ; J. U. Par 
sons, one year ; O. S. Morris, from May 1st 1873 to May 
Ist 1881 : and Mr. ATnsden, the present pastor. 

Tlie chnroh has an ext-ellent choir under the charge of 
H. L. Alleii. In former years this society was large and 
prosperous hut de.atli and removals have tliminished its 
numbers 



THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY 

was organized at the west village about the year 1835. 
In 1845 a neat edifice was erected on land donated by 
Charles Shaw. Soon after the church was completed Rev 
Alraon W. Mason became thoii" pastor. Jlr. Mason ^va^ 
well known throughout the entire region, having taught 
music in this and adjoining towns for several years. Hf 
was suc.-eeded by Revs. Earl Guilford, Moses Stoddard, 
Mr. Gifford, Mr. Plumb, Mr. Hughes. D. J. Mandell 
L. W Brighani. and ^Vlr. Trask. 

For several years the society has not sustained regular 
services, the pulpit being oi-.casionally supplied by speat 
ers from abroad. In 1883 an effort w s made to revive 
the interest and repair the church : at present, howevei . 
nothing has been done further than to repair the steeple 
which had come to resemble the leaninjr tower -.hi Pisa 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH 

was organized at the east village in 1821, with only f jui- 
teen members. The chtirch was bviilt in 1823. At the 
r*isiDg of the frame the laborers were stimulated in their 



10 SKETCHES OI" CTTMmNGTOT«. 

pndeaTors by a barrel of rum. 

The clergymen who have labored with this society are: 
Revs. Asa Todd, J. Grant, H. Trumbull, David Wright, 
Edwin Sfindyt-. G. Tripp, H. C. Coombs and the present 
pastor. Rev. A. B. Whipple. 

This church must have had a powerful influence upon 
the community, constant accessions augmenting its num 
bers to about three hundred. In later years the society 
has been nearly extinct, and much active labor is neces 
sarv to regain its former influence. 



THE METHODIST SOOIETY. 

Rev. Wm. Willcutt commenced holding meetings in 
the " gospel shop " ( old carding mill ) at Lightning 
Bng, soon after 1830. Quite a reformition followed and 
t-esulted in the formation of a society, and the erecting 
< if a clmrcli at the corner near the residence of Stephen 
Benjamin. 

This society existed for about twelve years, and pro- 
moted remarkable phenomenal revivals. Here it was 
that a certain brother, with more religious zeal than ed- 
ucation, used nightly to exhort and pray, always com- 
Miencing : " O ! Thou great and abominable Creator !" 
■and closing with a petition to an overruling power t© 
•• introduct us to heavea at last." 
Pastoi's:- Revs. Mr. Graves. Philo Hawkes and C.Mason. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

Aug. ISth 1835. a branch of the •' Latter Day Saintt "' 
was established at Lightning Bug, and was revived bj 



SKETCHES OF CUMillNGTON. 11 

Ifoah Packard in 1843. This church had sixteen mem 
bers, and prospered until the nrrival of one Hyde ^Yifll 
instructions to introduce polygamy. This revelation was 
not accepted by all, and Hyde, with several of his follow 
ers, emigrated to Salt Lake City where he became one of 
Brigham Yoimg's Apostles. 



Unitarian meetings were formerly held at the east vil- 
lage ; though no church was built, and we do not learn 
that any minister of the denominatioQ resided there. 



There are many Spiritualists who have occasional meet- 
ings in various parts of the town. Among those who have 
labored in this section are several of the ablest speakers 
of the denomination. 



SCHOOLS. 

Educational advantages were secured, at the first sale 
of the township, by a reservation of one sixty-third part 
for the supi^ort of a school forever, and tolerable facil 
ities for obtaining a common school education have been 
afforded during the entire existence of the town. 

In early years an active interest was manifested, and 
the result was the the erection of an Academy near tb*- 
place now occupied by Steplien Warner. Dr. Howland 
Dawes was, at one time, a teacher in tliis school. 

^lany years later another Academy was built south of 
the Baptist chiu-ch at Ciimmington village. Altliough at 
that time nearly every town in New England supported 
a similar institution few excelled it in the number of stu 
dents who have attained to prominent stations in literary 
circles, educational enterprisep, and important positions 



12 



SKETCHES OF CUMIUNGTON. 



in our state and nation. Among these are Ex-Gov. Tal- 
l3ot, U. S. Senator Henry L. Dawes, and several teachers 
of recognized ability. 

A select school w.is supported, for a time, in a hall over 
the store on the hill. 

The district schools of the town have, from their com- 
mencement, been as successful as those of other towns 
in western Blassachusetts, The town was originally di- 
vided into ten school distrcts, two of which, Nos. six and 
nine, have been discontinued. Each of the suiwiving dis- 
ti-icts has a convenient school house and supports n 
school during twenty four weeks of the year. In addition 
to this a term of high school will bo maintained the pres 
cnt year. 

The total amount of the school fund for 1881 is $1245. 
The number of scholars in the town is about two bun- 
dled. 

Among those who have taught iu the town ure : Rjyal 
Joy, who taught school thirty-five winters in succession ; 
L. C. Robinson, an experienced teacher; and Wm. W. 
Mitchell who has been engaged in educational work for 
many years. 




SKETCHES OF CUMMTNGTON. 



13 



CUMMINGTON LIBRARY. 




LIBRARY BCILPINa. 

All important institution of the town is the Bryant free 
Libviry, established in 1872 through the liberahty of the 
late lamented Wm. C. Bryant, and maintained by an an 
nnal appropriation of } of one mill percentage on the val 
natidji of the town. 

The Library buildiu;; is of stone, fire proof, and wit)] 
the residence of the Librarian, constitutes an attractive 
and valuable property. This institution is an ornament 
to the town and a fitting monument to the illustrious do 
nor wh») expended §20,030 in this gift to his native town- 
^Ir. Bryant also paid tho salary of the Librarian until the 
death of the former in 1878. 

This Library contains, at present, not less than 4000 
volumes. The catalogue contains a list of liooks classified 
under the headings of theology, biography, history, fic- 
tion, travels, etc. .^1 books are free to inhabitants of 
the town, subject to the regulations necessary in all in 
stitutions of this kind. L. H. Tower, Librarian. 



14 fiEBTOHBS OF CUSCMINCH'ON. 

SECRET SOGfETE^, &G. 

)0( 

MASONIO LODGE. 

In the early years of the present century Orion Lodge, 
p. A. M., waH established at Cummington. and regular 
meetings were held in a hall at east -village. This societv 
continued until the famouB " Morgan " exoitem(iiit bo em 
bittered the public feeling a.gainst secret orders that tht- 
lodge began to languish and eventually disbanded. 

Temperance f\^ove;Tients. 

About the time of the Washingtonian tern 
perance agitation, a general interest ^^as ori'ated, in the 
east part of the town, through the labors of an able law- 
yer from some town in the county. The interest was al 
most universal, and its beneficial results were apparent 
in subsequent years. 

In the spring of 1878, when the Murphy movement was 
sweeping like a tidal wave over the New England states, 
the west village was visite;! by prominent speakei's. and 
a general temperance uprising followed, in which almost 
the entire poi^ulation participated. Blue ribbons ( Mm- 
phy's badge ) were donned by old and young, and lasting 
benefits accrued to the entire community. 

Rev. O. S. Morris, then pastor of the Congregational 
church, was an active supjDorter of this movement, and 
during his residence in the tnvu, labored with commend 
Able zeal in the temperance cause. 



SKETCHES OF CITMinXGTON. 



lo 



HOTELS AND LANDLORDS. 



— o- 



Tho lirst Hotel or - Tav 
em " was biiilt where C. C 
Streeter now resides aud for 
a muuber of years was pop 
lUar with travellers on flie 
- Greit Road." This house 
was built and oA\Tie,d l^y Mr. 
Mitchell. 

Another tavern was kept 
by Asa Streeter on the farm 
now owned by H. A. Street- 
er. 

Adam Packard opened a 
public house on Gumming 
ton hill. We preseut a cut 
of the old sign which hmig 
before this tavern, and be- 
neath which our ancestors 
met for an evening smoke- 
while thev chscussed the contemporary events connected 
with the formation of our national government. Tins old 
»ign may be seen at the residence of Mr. Pettmgill at 

•list village.* 

At a later date Seth WiUinns estubhshed a store-hous« 
and tavera at east village, where it was m dntained until 




By, 



, tainmen t 
A. Packard. 



\- A. J 



OLD TAVKRN SIGN. 



*Mi'. P. has in his possession another relic in the form 
©f a chrir-table, brought over in the Mayflower We as- 
sure the reader that tliis is a veritable fact, although we 
a.hnit there are enough relics, now in existence, to smk 
» dozen ships hke that venerable craft. 



Ifi 

SKETCHES OP CUMMINGTON. 

1815 by this family, and afterwards by a Mr. Sawyer. 

m 18LL Levi Kino-man opened a hotel at east ;ilW 
which was mamtamed for a number of years 

leeuEBji '\^ tr^'^^-^^^^^^-P-P-tors have 
ihis hotel IS known as the " Union House " 

A tavern was built by Ma-. Tower, near M. N. Elder. 
stiU later by Mr. AJbro. 

Anotker tavoru was opened, ,o,n after the setUemeu. 

a a b a^i"""''; "' ^''- ^^^^ '" '^^ '^"'^^-« »-e „ J 

Reed lutf "^T;* "^' "^"' ""'■ I' - -'' «>»* 
festtl f "halt-stone " l.dge ,i„ Windsor, and i„ 

vested tbe proceeds m liquors for bis tavern 
In 1840 the present hotel building at west village was 
m t b,. Ehsha M,tehoU and W.n. Hubba^-d A,non« the 
.op .'"---e that timeai-e: Ephraim Whitman Ar 
oTerT t' n'?'^"'''°"'' Washington Elder, Dexter 
E ph' 'J::''^"""- *''■• Eaton. C U. Babbitt, and 
n- -f. tluut tae present occupant This Uotoi is iarire and 
oonvemeut. and under the management of Mr-. Hunt has 
acquired considerable popularity among travellers. 

(Jot) 



SKETCHES OF orMMINQTOX. |r 

PHYSICIANS. 

)0( 

The t. s .dwajs been suppUed v^^tll physicians. 

In he early years Dr. Bradish, Mzek and Fay attended 
to the health of the pioneers, ever ready to .sLt m cur 
mg the people of disease, and just as ready to - assist in 
taking the small pox " 

After the incorporation of the town, the tollowin-v phv 
^cians havepractK-ed in the town : Dr. Peter Bryant D> 
bhaw associated with Mr Bryan., and afterwards boated 
at Plamfield; Rowland Dawes, who came to Cummin^, 
ton in 1780 : Robert Kobmson, from North Adams ; D^. 
Clark; Royal Joy, wh. sta.Iied with Dr. Bryant, located 
at ^^ es Cummmgton in 1834 and ufte rward* removed to 
East tillage; Drs. Tobcy, at West Village; Richards at 
both -llages; C M. Barton, at West Vill.go; Stedman. 
Bemns and Giltillan ( a brother of James GJhll.n of the 
rreasuiy Department at \Vashington.) 

The Physicians now practicing in the town are : A H 
Kimball, at Cummino-ton: and Adam Eberg, af the West 
V uiage. 

)loi{ 

Hillside AgricuKurai S::'cty. 

Organized in 1868 at Cummingt.n, u v ,. active mem- 
bers residing in this and the adjoining t .vns of Windsor 
andPhinfield. Although this S .ietv ..,,,3 nothm. 

1 rr ^""' ''' '^"""'^ ''''' '''-^^ -— % quite 
.ucces.sful. Forl881itha8thefoUowing 

C _ OFFICEBP : 

STEPHZ. n.„.ED, Presiden,, R. R, p,c.,„b. Treasure, 
'•M. Or. Atkins, Secretary. 



18 SKETCHES OF OtIMMINGTON. 

Sketches of Principal Families, 

ANECDOTES, TKADITIONS ETC 

Adam Packard settled and kept a tavern on the Mason 
place. William, liis scm, also lived there. 

Ensign Abel Packard lived near the road leading from 
the Librar}' to the hill. Mr. Packard was an officer in 
the continental army dnring the Revolutionary War. 

Ebenezer Snei-l Epq., 
came from Bridgewater, and war. a j^romineut man in the 
early years of the town's existence. His family were di 
rect descendants of John Alden of the Mayflower. Sev 
eral amusing anecdotes are related in which the ''Squire 
took a conspicuous part. He had, it is said, two negro 
servants, " Liph " and " Aleck," both a little addicted to 
laziness. One day the '■ Squire" sent them to work "log 
ging," while he, knowing their characteristic weakness- 
proceeded to watch them. " Aleck" stretched himself on 
the ground behind a large ror-k, and '• Liph" crawled in 
to a hollow log. The "Squire" aroused the first and set 
him chopping the identical log in which the second dar 
key was reposing. The log was somewhat decayed and 
two or three blows unearthed the recumbent EthiojDian 
who, covered with rubbish, emerged fi'om the aperture, 
ind each terrified African rushed toward the iiouse and 
ieclared he had "seen de Debbil suah." 

Wm. Mitcheli. 

also came from Bridgewater. Mr. Mitchell lived where 

Charles Streeter resides. His children were influential 

members of society. His sons were: Cixshing. Pyam, 

Wm., Chester, Elisha and Bela. 



sketches of cummington. 19 

Jauob Melvin 

lived on the farm now owned by Hiram Steele. Mr. Mel 
vin was fond of hunting and often visited Deer Hill in 
search of game, atid it is said that he seldom failed to re 
turn ^vith a deer on his baok. Mr. F. Knapp now living 
in the place is a grandsoia of the early hunter. 

Stephen Farr 

hved near the old road from Northampton, where some 
claim he kept an inn. If this is correct, it must have been 
one of the first, and should have received notice in our 
sketches of hotels. 

Dr. James Bradish 

came to Cmnmington before 1780, and lived in the house 
now owned by Edwin Knapp. His son. Luther Bradisb 
was born in Cummingtou, September 15, 1783. He pre 
pared for college at the Academy on the hill, p.nd gradu 
ated at Williams College in 1804. Removing to Fraukliu 
County, N. Y., he engaged in the pi'actice of law. lu 
1829 he became Lieutenant Governor of the State of New 
York, to which office he was elected fourteen years in 
succession. Mr. Bradish also held office at New York 
city under the National Government. He died in 1863. 

The Knapp Family 
resided in the south part of the town, and representatives 
of this family have hved in the town since its first set- 
tlement. Shepard Knapp the wealthy merchant and re 
nowned banker of New York, was born in Cummington, 
February 6, 1793. He went to New York in 1812, and 
by industry and integrity acquired wealth which he gave 
freely in the cause (-)f philanthropy. He was President 



20 SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 

of the Meeh uics Bank, and also held the office of City 
Chamberlain. He died in 1875. 

Rev. James Briggs 
the first settled minister, had one son, James W.. who. 
in his boy-hocd, it upi:>fcar>s, liked a little sport as well ab 
other boys. One night after the family had retired and 
the good 2:)arson was meditating on his sermon, just as 
he reached sixteenthly he was startled by the report of 
a gun in the boy's bed-chamber. Jumping out of bed 
the excited dominie rushed to his door and asked :- 
" James, James, what is the matter ?" 
"Nothing, father, only shooting bed-bugs." 

Mr. Briggs kept a few sheejD which he very much val- 
ued. A neighbor had a gi'udge against the parson, and 
Sceibner's Monthly thus tells how he paid it :- "'■ One 
evening he appeared at the parsonage and in a manner 
betraying the livliest concern, informed Mr. Briggs that 
one of his most valuable sheep was very sick down in a 
field near the highway. The anxious clergyman sped to 
the place described mth breathless haste, and lo ! there 
in corner of a fence, dead drunk, was a favorite parish- 
ioner, — a sick sheep indeed." 

De.\. Barnabas Packard 
was the grandfather of the Packards now li\T[ng in the 
west part of the town and in Plainfield and Windsor. 

Sathtjel Thompson 
settled on the hill in the south westcj-n part of the town. 
He was a soldier in the continental army during the Rev- 
olutionary War, was taken prisoner and endured priva- 
tions of the severest type. His sons wei-o : William. Ja- 



SKETCHES OF CrMMINGTOX. 



21 



cob, Samuel and Joseph. J.icob and Samuel removed to 
Windsor, Joseph went to Boston, and Willi im remained 
on his father's farm ^Irs. Mason, a daughter of the old 
soldier is still liviner. 



Dk. Peter Bryant 
came from Bridgewatci', married Sarah Snell, ( daughter 
of Ebenezer Snell Esq.,) and located his practice in Cum 
mington. He was an £.ble physician and prominent in 
public matters. The dwelling-house near " Lightning 
Bug." now occupied by a colored family, was originally 
Dr. Bryant's office, and was moved over a hard cnist of 
snow, to its present location. Three of the Dr's sons. 
Austin, Arthur and John H., removed to Princeton, 111., 
where the two last named are still li%'ing. His second son 
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT, 

was born in Cummington, 

November 3, 1794. His 

eurly years were passed in 

. /,^-^^«=-=-se x\ ^"^ tliis locahty, and the im 

irW^--»0^^^'* V^ InV • pressions made on his iu 

venile mind by the roman 
tic scenery with wliich he 
was surrounded, occasion 
ally found expression in 
the gifted writings of his 
mature years. 

His first poem was com. 
posed when he was but ten 
years old. the first compensation therefor was ninepenee. 
Soon after he commenced writing scraps of poetiy which 
were pnbhshed in the •• Hampsliire Gazette." .Vt four 
teen years of age he wrote the "Embargo. " a pohtical 
poem which fairly gave the author a name among Ameri 







22 SKETCHES OF CUMMINOTON. 

can poets, and " Thanatopsis, " written when he was on 
ly eighteen years of age, established his fame wherever 
the EngHsh langunge is "spoken. He prepared for college 
under the instruction of Revs. Thomas Snell, of Brook 
field, and Moses Hallock, of Plainfield. At the age of 
sixteen he entered Williams College, but on account of 
his father's limited circumstances, was unable to grad- 
uate. 

Mr. B. engaged in the study of law with Judge Howe 
of Worthington, and Hon. Wm, Baylies of Bridgewater. 
Was admitted to the bar at Plymouth. He practiced, for 
a short time, at Plainfield, and then removed to Great 
Barrington. While there he wrote several of the poems 
which have made their author famous. The legal profes. 
sion was not congenial to his nature and in 1825 he re 
moved to New York to become associate editor of the 
" New York Review." Two years later he became edit 
or of the " New York Evening Post," which position he 
retained until the close of his illustrious life. 

In 1864 he purchased the old homestead in Gumming 
ton, and expended a large amount of money in improv 
ments on buildings and land. He resided here during 
the summer months, and seemed to enjoy the moments 
passed in the home of his childhood. 

He died in June, 1878, from a sickness induced by a 
fall received a few days previous. A monument has late 
ly been erected on the site of his birth-place. 

Mr. Bryant's life was in keeping with the noble princi 
pies of temperance and purity infusing all his writings. 
Few men ever attained such prominence with so few en 
emies. 

" The words of fire that from his pen 
Were flung upon the fervid page,- 

Still move, still shake the hearts of men, 
Amid a cold and coward age." 



SKETCHES OF CUMlII>'GTO>r. 28 

Stephen Wakner 
wuH au early settfer on the ijlixce now owned by Deacon 
Rogers. This family afterwards removed to Michigan. 

The Dawes Family. 

Samuel' Dawes, from Abington, came to Cnmmington 
aboiit the year 1780. Three of his sons, Howland, Dan 
iel and Mitchell, remained in Cinumington, and the oth- 
ers removed to Windsor. Howland w^s a physician and 
by his genial nature endeared the hearts of the people to 
whose physical wants he ministtred. Mitchell had two 
sons, Francis H. Dawes Esq., who is an influential citi 
zen of Cummington, now living at the Bryant place; and 

HENRY L. DAWES, 
who received his Academic education at Cummington. 
and after completing his studios at college, located in the 
practice of law at North Adams. Hj was elected to Con- 
gress, aad ably represented his district during the crit 
ical period when our nation was involved in civil war. 

After the death of Hon. Charles Sumner, in 1874, Mr. 
Dawes was chosen to fill his unexpired term as United 
States Senator, and in 1881 was re-elected to the same 
office. Mr. Dawes now resides at Pittsfield, Mass. 

JOSIAH HayDEN 

lived in the east part of the town fur many years, and af 
terwards removed to Williamsburg. His son, Joel Hay 
den. founded the extensive brass works at Haydcnville, 
and \vas several times elected Licuttnant Governor of 
Massachusetts. 

Nehemiah Joy 
located in Cummington soon after the Revolution Hi& 
son. Royal Joy, was for many years a teacher and phy 
sician in the town. 



24 bketches op ctjmmington. 

John Mellen 
who lived on Cummington Hill, was a descendant of the 
royal family of Scotland. His ancestors suffered by the 
confiscation of their property and emigrated to Ireland. 
Mr. Mellen enlisted in the British navy and participated 
in the battle of the Nile. Aftei' leaving the service he 
came to America. James Mellen. now liviiiy in the town, 
iR a member of this family. 

PETEK TOWKK 

.-ame from Hingham. Several of his deKcendanth ri^sid^ 
in Cummington and vicinity. 

ISA STREET EK 
Uved oil the farm now occupied by his grniidHon H. \. 
Streeter. His wife, a descendant of Rev. John Cotion. 
•*as an estimable lady of culture and retinenieiit. 

OTHEK FAMILIES 

'vall t'Htjeive uotir nnde*' head of [riditstn»^>». Etio 



SKETCHES OF OUMMINGTON. ^^ 

HOMAN HALLOCK, 

Now living- in Cummington, was born in Plainfield, 
Mass., May 24. 1803. Mv. Hallock was for many years 
stationed at Smyrna, employtd in the printing depart- 
raent of the American Tract Society. On his return to 
America he engaged in the manufacture of Arabic type, 
used inpubhcations of the above named Society. 



C/> 

3 

CD 

O 



Si. 

o" 
o 



CD 



l^-'^^^ ^ V> .--^^ <^y-l 1>;\^ JV\ ^\ J 1 






u. UJ 









,i^ <:.j,^. j O^ A: o.-^^ --'r b-^ (y-^ ^' 
'c.\i j3 Ci/ o^C y^^ J; i^ <M:> '^y^\ 



26 SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 

" TUNKERS " AND ^' WHICKANEERS. 

THE RIVAL PARTIES.- WATCHWORDS.- STRIFE.- COMPROMISE. 



Hon. John H. Bryant, in a poem read at the centen 
nial anniversary of the incorporation of the town, tells 
of a feud which existed in the early years. The settlers 
who came from Worcester county were called ''Tunkers" 
and those from Plymouth were known as "Whickaneers. " 
If a Tunker bruised his finger he said he had ''squat" 
it, while a Whickaneer used the Avord "jam'" to describe 
the same accident; hence, "Squat" and "Jam" became 
the watchwords of the respective parties who rallied un 
der their leaders with a zeal worthy of a better cause. 

This controversy was carried into town meetings, and 
became the exciting topic at election. The Tunkers felt 
certain that if the other party gained the ascendancy the 
direst calamities would afflict the town, while the oppo 
site party were just as sure that misfortunes little short 
of earthquakes and famine must inevitabh occur imder a 
Tunker adminstration. At each annual town meeting 
the Snells, Packards and their adherents arraj'ed their 
solid forces against the Wards, Bradishes and Warners, 
and, by use of the same tactics adopted by modern poli 
ticians, endeavored to extinguish his opponent. 

In the course of time members of the two parties in 
termarried, and it soon became apparent that to main 
tain party lines would sacrifice domestic happiness, and 
cause "unpleasantness in the family." A reconcihation 
was therefore effected between the factions, dropping 
"squat" and "jam" and substituting " bruise," thereby 
introducing an era of peace for the inhabitants of Cum- 
mington. 



SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 27 

FLARE TOP AND "DITTO. ' 



Many years ago there lived in Cummington, two nier 
chants ( brothers ) who were noted for their shrewdness. 
These men collected a lar^e supply of sorrel seed and 
went to Boston to dispose of it. The elder brother first 
visited the principal stores in the city and inquired for 
•' Flare top." a new kind of grass seed. On being told 
at each place that the article was unknown in that local 
ity, he expressed much regret and politely requested the 
merchants, if an opportunity occured. to purchase sev 
eral bushels for his particular use, 

In a few days the younger brother arrived and found 
uo difficulty in disposing of the entire lot at a good price. 
The brothers then made their exit, leaving the Boston 
merchants to wonder why no one called for "Flare top. 



While the above incident would indicate that the two 
brothers were proficient in shrewdness, another anecdote 
will show that they were deficient in education. They 
purchased the goods for their store at Boston and were 
surprised to find in the bill numerous charges for "dit 
to." One of the brothers went to the Boston dealer de 
daring they "had never bought a pound of ditto," The 
matter was explained, and he returned to his brother 
who asked :- 

" Well, what does so much ditto menn f 
" It means,'" replied the irate brother, " that I am a 
d d fool and you are ditto." 



28 , SKETCHES OF CtrMMINOTOIC. 

HIDDEN WEALTH. 

)o{ 

Formerly every town could boast of its haunted bouse 
or buried gold, concerning ^Yllich, marvelous stories of 
ghosts and apparitions were frequently told. Diligent 
search among the traditions of Cummington fails to dis- 
cover any habitation &iippcsed io shelter spirits — ex 
ceptin a liquid form We succeeded, however, in pro 
curing an account of buried gold, which we give sub 
stantially as related by one who participated in the affair. 

About forty Tears ago a bnrglar. who ht\d robbed a 
jewelry store in New York passed through Cummington 
hotly pursued by officers of the law. Next day the un 
lucky criminal was captured and disclosed the fact that 
he had buried the ])lunder near the house now occupied 
by Shepard Allen in Cummington. Numerous parties 
excavated the soil in the locality f.nd wonderful sto)ies 
might be disclosed by some of the persons who engaged 
in the se:irch. One party of yorng men from '• Light- 
ning Bug" and vicinity met in a sug,'-r house to concoct 
plans to accomplish their object. L; those days it was 
believed that some evil spirit or genii guarded all buried 
treasure, that none but the rightful owner might obtain 

ifc; accordingly thej' invited Thomas -, who by "hook 

and crook" had acquired some knowledge of psychoman 
cy, to assume the role of magician, and intoxicate, cut- 
wit, or bribe any ghost who might interfere in this par 
ticular enterprise. 

After versing themselves in magic lore the party went 
to exhume the wealth which might now be secured with 
comparative ease. Tom by means of the " divining rod,' 
a willow branch shaped like a Y performing gyratit ns 



8KBT0HE8 OF OUMMINOTOU. 



29 



oscillations indiscribable, found the right spot, and with 
the air of a philosopher, posted a sentinel, and ordered 
the others to dig, while he, -with a bottle of whipkey^ 
sought to appease the ghosts. 

After each, in turn, had looked at the stars through 
an upturned pitrher, they proceeded to dig for precious 
booty so near at h ind. All seemed to work well and fre 
quent gurgling sounds in the direction Tom, indicated 
that he was meeting with toUrable succees in putting 
down the "spirits." At length the bar appeared to meet 
an obstacle, and all supposed it was the box of jewelry. 
Tom was called in, and he decided to place his ear near 
the ground while some one shoulf'' (strike again. Having 
placed liimself in position, and cried "ready", the other 
plunged the b;ir and shouted :- 

"Did I hit it?" 

There Wis no definite answer, but from the unearthly 
groans which followed, all wtre tonvinced that he had 
hit it — i. e., Tom's ear, which was in too close proxim 
ity to the descending bar. The frightened sentinel ran 
to ascertain the cause of the uproar, and falling over 
the form of tho prostrate magician, extinguished the on- 
ly light, and in the confusion which followed it was de 
cided to abandon the enterprise. 



so SKETCHES OF OUMMINaTOM. 

WAR RECORD 

The town was in its infancy at the time when the eol 
onists were engaged in the struggle for independence- 
yet the inhabitants contributed liberally in snpport of 
the American cause. Among the soldiers from the town 
were : Samuel Thompson. Nehemiah Joy, I. Kingman. 
Peter and Nathaniel Tower. While a company of Bur 
goyue's soldiers were passing through Cummington af< 
prisoners of war, two of the men deserted and became 
residents of the town. 

During the famous Shay's Rebellion several citizens 
of Cummington sj-mpathiztd with the insurgents, and 
forwarded provisions for their support. 

The people Cummington did not favor the attitude of 
American politics during the war of 1812, biit accepted 
the situation with tolerable grace and furnished the fol- 
lowing soldiers :- Capt. Whitman, Leonard Shaw, Har 
vey Tirrell, T. Tirrell, Capt. Claggard, Solomon Shaw. 
Sylvanus Shaw, Mr. Bates and Nathan Mason. 

In the war of 1861-5 the town has an honorable and 
enviable record, ha\'irg furnished its full quota of sol 
diers. Of these nearly fifty were residents of the town. 

)o( 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

The fellowing persons from Cummington have been 
members of the Massachusetts Legislature : — 

Wm. Ward. James Richards, Ebtnnzer Snell, Peter 
Bryant. Adam Packard. Abel Packard, Robert Dawes, 
Eliphalet Packard. Amos Cobb, Wm. Swan. J. Dawes. 
A. Painter, Jas. W Briggs, N. Orcutt, P. Packard, Jos. 
Packard, J. Orcutt, R L.Packard, Robt. D'^wes Jr, H. 
Steele. R. Joy. John Ford. Chas. Shaw, N. F. Orcutt. 
F. Shaw, S. Shaw, Alm«m Mitchell. Richmond Kingman. 
L. J. Orcutt. and W. W Mitchell. 



SKETCHES OF OUMVriNttTON. 30 

HYMN. 

)0( 

WRITTEN FOR THE CDMMINGTOK CENTENNIAl 

BY HON. J. H. BRYANT. 
f 
O — 

( TUNE, HAMBURG. ) 

Father of all ! whose boundless sway 
Rules Earth and al] the rolling spheres : 

Grant us thy gentlest smile to day, 
This day that crowns a hundred years. 

Frjm m'lny horOPR, from near and far. 

From where the At^-^i^fif billows foam. 
And plains beneatli the pv^niug stai*. 

We come, to greet our native home. 

Fit place is this, O Lr>rd most High! 

Where these et*^r'i>il hil^s pscend, 
Fit hour, beneaih this montitain sky. 

Around thy m( rcy seat to bend. 

Let love and concord rule the day. 

And reverence for those brave old sires 
Who liewed the might v woodp n-^^•f^y. 

And kindled here their aHnr fires. 

Here may their virtues still abidr, 
With kindlier, gentler mein than then 

And as the coming ages elide. 

Make glad the heart* and homes of mnn 



SKETCHES OF CUMMrN(*TON. 3t^ 

Centennial Anniversary 

OF THE INCORPOEATION OF CUMMINGTON. 

)o( 

At the annual town meeting in March 1879, en appro 
priation was made for celebrating the one hundrcth an 
niversary of the town's incorporation. An executive com 
mittee, consisting of influential citizens, was chosen to 
prepare for the holiday Circulars were sent to former 
residents inviting them to return and join in the festiv 
ities at their native town on Thursday, June 26th 1870. 

As the day approached the inhabitants engaged with 
interest in the enterprise, and old friends returned from 
distant lands to look again on the home of their child 
hood. At length the eventful day arrived, and notwith 
standing the gloomy weather, a large concourse assem- 
bled in a pleasant grove on the upper Bryant place, and 
with banners and music welcomed the distinguished per 
sons who participated in the exercises of the day. 

After a select choir had sung a hymn composed for the 
occasion by John H. Bryant, W. W. :MitchelI, President 
of the day, introduced Senator H. L. Dawes who follow 
ed with an able historical address, replete with vivid de- 
lineations of incidents in the history of Cummington. At 
the close of Mr. Dawes' address the entire assembly par 
took of a dinner furaished by the committee, after wnich 
Hon. J. H. Bryant road a poem, followed by speeches 
from His Excellency Thomas Talbot, then Governor of 
Massachusetts; Hon. Amasa Norcross, Member of Con 
gress; Charles Dudley Warner, H. S. Gere and others. 
The crowd then dispersed with the determination to at- 
tend ( D. V. ) another anniversary in 1979. 



34 8KETCHE8 OF CTTMMINGTON. 

Industries of Cummington. 

)o( 

WEST VILLAGE. 



The settlement of " Woodcliiick Hollow'" or "West Vil 
lage does not date much earlier thaa the commencement 
of the present century. Seth "Wilder built the first log 
house on land now owned by Mrs. "VN'ilkes, and his son 
Abel built another where the parsonage now stands. At 
a later date Sylvanus Shaw erected a dwelling on laud 
now owned by Wm. Tower, and some one whose name 
we do not learn built another where the hotel stands. 

Jonah Beals owned a saw mill on the site oi the L. L. 
Brown Paper Co.'s mill. In 1805 Wm. Hubbard estab 
lished a tannery at the same place, which was maintain 
ed for about forty years, and furnished employment foi' 
twenty men. Mr. Hnbbard also kept a store during the 
latter years of his business career in Cummington. 

In 1812 Col. L. Bates built a saw mill which Avas after 
wards owned liy Henry Elder & Co., who enlarged the 
buildings and engaged in the manufacture of furniture. 
This business was for several years one of the leading in- 
dustries of the village. At present these buildings are 
occupied by H. N. Elder, manufacturer of numerous va 
rieties of penholders, and giving employment to several 
operatives. 

Many years ago an extensive potash manufactory was 
in ojieratiou at this village, traces of which may still be 
seen south of the river on the meadow owned by Charles 
Harlow. 



SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 35 

In 1820 Elisha Mitchell opened a store at this village 
and for several years had a prosperous trade. He took 
an active part in public affairs, and was respected by the 
citizens of the town. His son, Clark Mitchell, is now a 
druoo-ist in Dalton. Since Mr. Mitchell this store has 
been owned hj the following persons : Mr. Parker, C N- 
Hariow. Harlow & Torrey ami J. W. iirrell the present 
occupant. 

Soon after tlie erection of the hotel a co operative store 
was estabHshed in a part of the building. E. Whitman, 
Agent. The proprietors afterwards built a store on the 
opposite side of the street where Ethan Clark and Albert 
Winslow acted as Agents. This store was purchased by 
Mr. Caswell who conducted the business for a time and 
then sold to L. E. Bi/'knell the present proprietor. 

In 1877 E. G. Allen opened a crocery and during the 
present year has built a commodious store to accomodate 
increasing trade. 

In 1878 H. A. Mason con In-ted a grocery store in a 
small building owned by John Borstow. 

In 1825 Stephen Dawes erected a cotton factory where 
Charles Harlow's bam now stands. Mr. Dawes after- 
wards sold the establishment to a company who employ 
ed fourteen persons This mill w«r destroyed by fire. 
While this factory was iu operation Samuel Luther kept 
several boarders in his family, all finding shelter in the 
small building near the bridge which crosses the river in 
the village. During a heavy freshet this house with ith 
occupants was surromided by water, preventing commu 
nicatiou with the outside world for on« night. So great 
was Mr. Luther's anxiety for the pp'<'^ty of his family 
that his hair turned gray from the excitement of that me 
Qiorable night. 



36 SKETCHES OF CUMMTNGTON. 

Bela Shaw formerly had a Bhoemaker's shop near the 
place where L. E. Bicknell now resides, and a carpenter's 
shop owned by Sylvanns Shaw was in the same locality- 

THE POST OFFICE 
at Ciimmington West Village, was established in 1823. 
and has been attenrled by the following postmasters :- 
Elisha Mitchell, Josiah D.Nelson, Albert Winslow. J^;than 
Clark, Charles HnHow and L. E. Bicknell. 

About 1848 Elisha and Bela Gardiner built the mill 
now occupied by Charles Harlow for the manufacture of 
broom and brush handles. 

Mr. Bisbee built the mill afterwards occupied by Mr. 
Brown, and now owned by James Hawley. 

M. L. Bates owned a grist mill near the cemetery. It 
was burned several years ago and has never been rebuilt. 
A few years since, Mr. Bates and his son Frank built a 
mill for the manufactTire of mnnilla paper. The enter 
prise was not successful, find after several attempts were 
made to revive it, tlie property passed into other hands 
rtud at present remains idle. 

About fifteen years ago Snmuel Bartlett started the 
blacksmith shop now occupied by Daniel Snow. 

The paper mill was built in 185G by Nelson Shaw & 
Co., who carried on the business for a short time, after 
which it remained idle until it Avas leased by Amos Eddy 
and another gentleman. This firm engaged in the man 
ufacture of albumen paper for photographs. The Hol- 
lister Paper Co, then occupied the mill for a short time, 
and in 1870 it was purchased by the L. L. Brown Paper 
Co., who have conducted the mill with the following su 
perintendents : Wm. Osborne. Abram Osborne, John H. 
WiethaujDer. A fatal accident occured at this mill when 
the engine was first introduced. The inventor came to 
set up the machinery, and when all was ready the power 



SKETCHES OF OUMMINGTOK. 37 

was applied, the inyentor stepped back to admire the re 
suit of his labors, and missing his footing he fell into the 
machinery and was instantly killed. 

Nathaniel Bartlett formerly had a blacksmith shop neai 
where Eurotas Mason now lives. 

A building on North Street originally a blacksmith 
shop, and later a penholder factory, is now occupied on 
the lower floor by S. D. Benjamin, blacksmith; and the 
upper floor by Wm. G. Atkins, maiaifacturer of brush 
handles and " Excelsior " fire kindlers. 

On the same street is the printing office of H. E. Mil 

ler. 

In 1879 A. C Capen er 'cted a commodious carriage 
shop, which is supplied with steam power and complete 
in all its appointments. 

Amos Eddy has a sliop, near the paper mill, for repair 
ing clocks. 

^' LIGHTNING BUG." 

Mr. Grimes establislied the wool carding and satinet 
factory in 1809. This factory w>f(* prr'^hfised by Charles 
Gloyd in 18^1, and has been owned by members of the 
family since that time. It is now conducted by Charles 
(). Gloyd. 

John Ford also owned a sitinet mill at this place. He 
conducted a profitable business nnd eniph ycd several 
persons. 

A brick-yard was formerly in operation near the resi 
dence of Mrs. Vining. 

The blacksmith shop now standing en the farm occupied 
by S. S. Clark, was foriuer^y owned by Asel Bartlett and 
afterw^ards by his sou Chanes. 



88 SKETCHES OF CUMMINOTON. 

Daniel Richards, who lived in the honse now occupied 
by Stephen Benjamin, was a leading man in this commu 
nity during his residence here. 

One mile east, (on the old stage road) was the store of 
Joseph and Edwari' L izell, who conducted a thriving 
business during tb* -r.y years of the present century. 

In the same loc. . ly wab the tannery owned by Brack 
ley Shaw, and afterwards by his son Lorenzo. This tan 
nery was burned a few years since. Brackley Shaw's 
sons, Brackley, Fayette and William, established several 
tanneries in A^aine jind Canada, and are now the most 
successful le-^thtr dealers in America. 

Caleb L>»ud once had a store in the house now occu- 
pied by Noah Gloyd. 

CUMMINGTON VILLAGE. 

Among the early residents in tin's village were: Beriah 
Shaw on the place now owned bv L. J. Oreutt; and his 
brother Obed Shaw where M. I. Jerkins now lives. 

James Shaw formerly owned a grist mill at this place. 
I'his mill was afterwards used as a clothier's works for 
a short time. In this locality was also a tannery. 

A Mr. Noyes owned a blacksmith shop. Since Mr. N. 
Jieveral blacksmiths have been located at this village. At 
present there are two ; Mr. Gumey in the fhop formerly 
occupied by C. O. Bartlett, and F. R. McLellan in a part 
of Mr. Stevens' building near the hotel. 

Various business enterprises have been conducted in 
the long building owned by Mr. Oreutt. 

In 1812 a cotton factory was erected by Josiah Hay- 
den. This building has since been used as a scythe, 
snath manufactory, and is now occupied by Mr. Stevens 
for the manufacture of penholders, etc. 



SKETCHES OF OUMIHUGTON. 



39 



Jordan & Rhodes conducted a scythe-snath manufactory 
on the north side of the river. 

C. & T. Packard formerly owned a woolen factory on 
the same side of the river. In later years it served as a 
wood-working mill owned by H. Bradley. Destroyed by 
tire in 1881. 

THE POST OFFICE 
at Cummington was estaV)lished in 1816, and has had tht- 
following postmasters : Robert Dawes, James Dawes, J. 
Albro, Francis Bates, Col. Wm. Swan. D. W. Lovell 
and N. F. Orcutt. 

In 1820 Oakes Shaw opened the store now owned by 
D. W Lovell. 

Robert Dawes formerly kept a stcre where Austin 
Cowing now lives. This store was purchased by Levi 
Kingman, who fitted up a bar-room and hall and kept a 
tavern in connection with the store. Mr. Kingman was 
the father of Richmoad Kingman, for many years a prom- 
inent citizen of Cummington and now living at Battle 
Creek, ilich. 

In 1844 N. F. Orcutt estabhshed the store now occu 
pied by him near, the centre of the village. 

About 1863 L. J. Orcutt opened the store, in the low 
er part of the village, of which D. E. Lyman is the pres- 
ent proprietor. 

In 1856 Z. Bradley established the towel rack nianu 
factory now owned by Bradley Bros. 

Austin M. Shaw has for several years manufactnr.d a 
variety of gloves, mittens, eto. 

L. B. Cobb, in the Academy bmlding, has a stove and 
tin shop. 

R. R. Packard has an establishment for repairijig jew 
elry, watches, clocks, etc. 

Mr. Streeter has a harnesB shop in this village. 



to SKETCHES OF CUMMINGTON. 

SWIFT EIVER. 

At Swift River ( l):!tt('r known as "Babylon") there was 
a grist mill, owner unknown. Nehemiah Joy and Asa 
Gurney also owned a grist mill in the east part of Cum 
mington. 

Mr. Guilford formerly had an establishment for man 
ufaoturing scythe stones. 

N. B. Crosby has for sevei'al years been engaged in 
the manufacture of varit^us articles of wooden- ware. His 
establishment is the principal business feature of the vil 
lage. 

A file manufactory was, for a short time, in operation 
at this place, under the charge of Mr. Alcott. 

The Post Office at Swift River was established in 1869- 



The first merchant in Cummington was Roswell HuV) 
bard who had a store on the -'Hill.'" 

Mr. Otis formerly owned a distillers in the vicinity of 
•'Otis'' bridge. 



DIRECTORY. 



)0( 

Selectmon. 

li. W LOVELL, &. N. 'L'HO.\rPS0N, J. SHAW 
Town Ci.bkk, K. li. PACKARD. 

Coij.fc,cTOK AND Treasukek, A. V. STEVENb. 

JSCHO L CdJIMITTiF,. 

A. H KIMBALL, H. E. DULLES, W. W. MIT(;HELL 



OoKHTABLEs, M I. JENKINS, G. M. BOURNK 



DIEECTORY. 



)o( 

lu tlie following lis: f irmers. and property holders not 
engaged in business afeidefrt.m the management of their 
farms, are not marked. Others are designated by abbre 
viations, thus: seL, selectmen; e. cl., congregational cler 
i-yman; 1., laborer; m. e., mill employee: mfr.. mannfac 
turer; j., justice; etc. 



A 



Atkins, "Wm G mfr 
Adams, Henry J 
Arnold, Edward A 



B 



Bates, Philander 

" Levi 

" Joseph 

" Finley V tobao. dlr. 

*' Austin I) 

*' Edward M 
Lorenzo H 
Benjamin, Stephen 

,, S D bl'ksmith 

" George 
Bishop. Myron L 
Bogart, Henry 
Babbitt, Chas M bl'ksmith 
Bicknell, Luke E mer, p.m 
Baldwin, Joseph B c. ol. 
Brewer, J 
Bourne, George M att,> 



Allen, Erastus G mer 

'• Shepard 1 
Amsden. S c. cl 

Brewster, Andrew 
" James D 

" Andrew Jr 
Bartlett. John L 

Stephen T 
" Arunah 
Otis B 
Barstow, John 
Bradley, Bridgemau E mfr' 
Walter A mfr 
" Clark M mfr 
Buck, Lucius E 
" Alvin W 
" George A 
Billings George W 
Blake, Henry c. cl. 
Beals, J Chester m.e 



DIRECTORY OF CUMMINQTUN. 



4H 



C 



Cowing, Austin 
Clark, S S 

'' OP stapfe pro])")' 
Cobb, Henry A 

" Lewis B stove «llr 
Converse. Emerson D 
Capen. Arthur C eal>. 

Dyer, Henry M 

" Alinon J 
" Dexter Jr 
•• ChasD 
•• Jjhn A 
1)111. Lorenzo M 
- Edward T 
Francis E 



D 



E 



Everett. JoLn 
Eberg, A physician 
Elder. Henry N mfr 

Ford. Francis 
" Liirenzo W 

Gurney. John W 

Oren W bl'ks'lh 
Guilford, George W 



P 



Crosby, Joseph 

'' Neheniiah B mfr 
Cratly, \Vm H 
Coon, Chas W 
Conn, Chas H 
Cranston. Robert m.e 
CransDU, Cadman A 

Dawes. Chas W 

Daniel N 
" Francis H j 
" Leander T 
" Howard W 

Damon, Clinton W 

Drake. Edmund T 

Dill, Arthur L 

Eddy, Amos E clock rdp'r 
" John 1 



Ford, Walter E 
French, Stephen 



G 



Gloyd, Noah L 

" Charles O mfr 
Gooisell, J ;hn L 



H 

Hitchcock, Henry H p.m Hunt, Ebenczer 

Hawley, James mfr " Eben P hotel propi 

Higgins, Jacob G Howes, Milton S 



44 



DIBECTOBY OF CUMMINGTON. 



Harlow, Charles mfr 
" Ozro F 1 

" Ward A m.e 

Holmes, Chas I 
Hamlin, Theron 



Hathaway, Chas H 

Shadrack P 
" Joseph 

Hale, Nelson F 



Jenkins, Richmond 
" Richmond A 



Jones, Plenry 

" Warren S 

Marshall I sheriff Jordan Edgar E m.e 

Lucius D " Edwin m.e 

Edward C 

K 



Kingman, Alvin 

K nipping, Frederick K 

Kuapp, Fordyce M 



Kimball. A H physician 
Knapp, Edwin B 
" Samuel S 



Lyman. Philundtr P 

" Darwin E mer 
Leonard, Henry H 
Longley, Edgar L m. e 

Mitchell, Aim on 

\Vm W prof 
Mellen, James shoemaker 
John O 1 
Alma H 
MoLellan, Franklin R b'sth 
Miller, H Elmer printer 
^ N 
Norton. Edward P 



Lovell Darius W mer, sel 
Arthur W clerk 
" Jacob 

M 

Mason, Eurotas 

•' Francis 
" Justus 

'• Newell 

" Hezekiah A 1 

'' Charles 1 
McCoy. Tylon 



DlBKCTOBl OF CDMMlNaTON- 



o 

Orcutt, Nathan Fmer, p.m Orcntt. Lysaude) J wool (i\i> 
Wm W 



Pettengill, Charles M 
" Aldtn F 

•' E.lwiird S 

Parsons, Amasa C mfr 
Porter, Wilton 

Edward H 
Pnitt, Emory 1 
•' Euirene 1 



Reed, Albert W 
" John C 
'• Wm L 
■• Noah W 
Emory C 

Streetcr. Heniy A 
'■ Charles C 

" Francis 1> 

" Asa i± m.e 

" Lewis ham h m; 
Snow, Oiange W car. j 
'' Daniel brksmith 

Frank L m.t- 
•' John A 
*' Samuel 
Smith. Lawrence 
'* Georgo W 



Powell, DongluisJS 
Packard, R R jewel* v. t « 
'•• Fordyce 

Chas S 
Park, Cyrus 
Phipps, Chas 
Pratt, Bernicfc 
Proud, Martin V 13 ui.t 
R 

Rogers, Joseph W 
Richards, Francis O bntri»<ir 
ftobbJns. Hiram 
" Henry S 

S 

Show, Wni H 

" Austin M auctioneer 
•' Andrew J 
•' Franklin E 
r •' Fremont M 
" Ijorcuzo sel 
Luther 
8hattu( k, K W hotel prop j 
Stevens, Nelson S mfr 

" Arlin V mfr, tw'n n 
*' Arthur S mfr 
tjylvester, Charles L 



46 



DimiOTO«T OF CTTMMINOTOH. 



Stetson, Charles 
Standish, Chas H 

Trow, Myron D 
Luther M 
" James 
Torrey, Sidney U mfr 

Leavit , B tailor 
Thomas, Jam' s S 
Thompson, George N sel 
Thayer, Jason C 
Taylor, Daiiiel car 
Thompson, Wm 
Traverse, John 



Stewart, .John 1 
Stearns, Onus Q F 
T 

Tillscn, Edward A 

" E Imund W car 
Tower, Warren E 

" Lorenzo H librarian 
" Lnthf r B 
♦' Chns W 
Nathaniel 
Wm 
Tirrell, Spencer N teamstnir 
" Joseph "W mer 
" Arthur W student 
V 



W 



Vining, R C w'ks Holyoke Vining, Marcus R irte 

Robert L me 

White, Wm H 
" Joseph E 
" Benjamin E 
Willcutt. Jason 
" Jesse 

Brackley H 
Whelden, Samuel B 
Whitney, Elliott 



Frank 

Wnrner, Wra A 

Frankfin J 
E.lwar-I F 
Oren H 
Wells. Alexis 
" Henry 
" Chas m.'i 
Wilbur, Ezrfi P 



Wiethauper, J IT mill snp Wilson, Charles S 





Ob HA 

. ■ 


HY 

n 


ui- 


1 


' ' !i! 1! 




'' 



014 014 628 6 ^ 



1 



